Something for the weekend

Sometime next week – most likely on Tuesday – we should know the fixtures for 2011. Despite a few doom and gloom merchants on the various boards and despite having lost some big name players, I’m reasonably optimistic at this stage.


Why? Partly because I think we still have a core of talented players at the club and partly because I find it hard to believe we could have such bad luck with injuries as we did in 2010. A fit Wagg and Clare would have made a massive difference to our fortunes last year and while the former is gone, Jonathan Clare’s fitness will be like having a new signing. He’s already shown his ability to score runs and take wickets, so…

Similarly, several batsmen had their problems last season, with Garry Park, Greg Smith and Wayne Madsen less prolific than previously. For Park and Madsen it was, perhaps, the advent of second season syndrome and both will come through it. Smith simply had to do too much bowling. Only the really outstanding can bowl seam, switch to offspin with the old ball, then go and score big runs on a regular basis. Garry Sobers and Mike Procter were cases in point, but it takes its toll on the body and something, at some point, has to give. With the added burden of captaincy last year, Smith actually did pretty well, but I’d still like to see someone else in that latter role to ease the burden.

With Wes Durston eager to prove a point to Somerset, and Matt Lineker, Paul Borrington and Dan Redfern keen to break into the side, there should be good competition for places. All that without mentioning Chesney Hughes. While he may find things tougher second time around, the lad is a class act and could surprise a few people.

I also look around the country and see counties in turmoil. Kent, Gloucestershire, Leicestershire, Glamorgan – none have had to look too far for trouble this winter and several have been decimated by money issues. As my old mammy used to say, if you ever think things are bad, just look around you. Of course, if what is around you is your fault it doesn’t help too much, but you get my drift…

As I pointed out on IMWT the other day, John Morris is quite rightly playing a waiting game regarding his overseas star and needs to know who is available. Suggestions that he’s ‘missed the boat’, as suggested by a correspondent on IMWT are ludicrous and patently unfair, given the huge amount of work that goes into getting one person to say yes.

I think that there may be several Australians more willing for a county stint than before. If they lose the Ashes (and I think they will) the fallout will be substantial. Besides a few older players who may lose central contracts, there may be a few who could see a successful county stint as a window of opportunity.

One such would be Cameron White, long regarded as one of his country’s more gifted players. At present he seems to be seen as a one-day specialist for his country, but if Katich and North lose their Test places and Ponting retires from the international game, he could well be in the frame for a wider role. Captain of his state, he is a dynamic batsman, brilliant fielder and more than useful leg spinner. At 27, an impressive season in the county game, especially as skipper, could help his cause immensely, resurrecting his international ambitions as such stints did for Simon Katich and Marcus North. The added benefit in such a player would be his ability to play all forms of the game, though the down side may be his salary demands.

If I was White, I would see a season in England, scoring 2,000 runs and taking 30-40 wickets, as an ideal showcase opportunity. In my humble opinion, doing that would be of greater long-term benefit than faffing around in a tinpot one-day competition somewhere that told no one anything new. For White it could easily lead to the ultimate prize as national skipper. Michael Clarke’s fragile back and fragile relations (according to some) with his team mates may legislate against him succeeding to the captaincy, but only if there is a viable alternative. White has been cited as a future national skipper for years, but this is close to being his time. Miss out now and the chance may not come again.

Of course, Australian international commitments may rule him out, and regular readers of this blog will know that only South Africa and New Zealand are free of international commitments next summer.

But the signing of a player of that standing would be a statement of intent by Derbyshire. With excellent facilities at the County Ground and increased capacity, we now need a charismatic personality to lead the team, set an example and draw the crowds with a vibrant brand of cricket. Chris Rogers was a fine player, but he wasn’t THAT sort of player. In my humble opinion, such a signing, in the volatile context of current county cricket, could define the season.

Cameron White would be one such man. If John Morris could land someone of that calibre, 2011 could be the year the Falcons fly.